Extended time meter construction

ABSTRACT

A coin controlled construction for obtaining the purchase of time on a timer mechanism adapted for recording many hours of time. The operation of the timer mechanism is provided by means of a winding ring movable in response to the insertion of coins. The drive shaft of the timer mechanism is connected to a drive gear through a one-way clutch. The drive gear is in turn operatively connected to the winding ring, and the clutch provides for rotation of the timer shaft upon movement of the winding ring. The clutch then permits the return of the winding ring and drive gear to the starting position whereby multiple winds of the gear shaft can be accomplished through repeated introduction of coins.

United States Patent [1 Lugowski et al.

EXTENDED TIME METER CONSTRUCTION Inventors: Ronald J. Lugowski, Rolling Meadows; Rinaldo Sciacero, Arlington Heights, both of Ill.

Qonaar Corporation, Elk Grove Village, [11.

Filed: Nov. 21, 1972 Appl. No.: 308,547

[73] Assignee:

US. Cl. 194/61 Int. Cl G076 1/30 Field of Search... 194/61, DIGT21, DIG. 2 2,

l94/DIG. 18

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,281,514 4/1942 Rhodes 194/DIG. 22

Ill/l/Illll' Jan. 29, 1974 Primur liramiucr-Stzmlcy H. 'lollherg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McDougall et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A coin controlled construction for obtaining the purchase of time on a timer mechanism adapted for recording many hours of time. The operation of the timer mechanism is provided by means of a winding ring movable in response to the insertion of coins. The drive shaft of the timer mechanism is connected to a drive gear through a one-way clutch. The drive gear is I in turn operatively connected to the winding ring, and the clutch provides for rotation of the timer shaft upon movement of the winding ring. The clutch then permits the return of the winding ring and drive gear to the starting position whereby multiple winds of the gear shaft can be accomplished through repeated introduction of coins.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 29 1974 SHEU 2 OF 2 EXTENDED TIME METER CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to a construction designed for the purchase of time. The invention is of particular value with respect to parking meters wherein time is purchased so that an automobile can be located in a parking place without violation of parking ordinances.

Parking meter constructions typically include timer mechanisms which are operated in response to the insertion of coins. The operation of the timer mecha-' nisms may be automatic or manually operated means may be utilized for operating the timer mechanisms. In either event, the hours of the timer mechanisms are wound in accordance with the amount of coins inserted in the meter with a proportionate amount of time then being required for the timer mechanism to run down. Indicators such as pointers moving over a dial face are generally utilized to reveal the amount of time remaining on a meter.

Parking needs have generally been limited to a maximum of several hours. The requirements for meters have not exceeded 12 hours since this span will cover a normal working day, and the time period is compatible with parking restrictions imposed in shopping and commuter parking areas. More recently, however, proposals have been made to use metered parking at locations involving more extended parking times. For example, metered parking has been proposed for airport parking lots with a view toward reducing the personnel required for staffing the lots. Thus, it has been recognized that the use of parking meters provides a less expensive and more convenient means for revenue parking even where a vehicle will be parked for a matter of days.

Existing parking meter constructions do not have a capability of providing parking time for extended periods, and it is a general object of this invention to provide an improved parking meter construction for that purpose.

It is a more specific object of this invention to pro vide a parking meter construction which is characterized by improved elements for operating timer mechanisms.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a parking meter construction having the elements referred to and also employing primarily standard parts so that the extended parking time can be achieved without requiring drastic and expensive changes in parking meter design.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a parking meter construction incorporatingfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view illustrating interior components of the parking meter construction;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view illustrating gear means utilized for driving the timer mechanism employed in the construction;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view illustrating one gear arrangement which may be substituted for the gear arrangement shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of accomplishing one object of the invention; and,

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating the drive mechanisms of the invention.

The subject matter of the invention generally relates to a coin controlled construction such as a parking meter employed for obtaining the purchase of time. In such constructions, a winding ring is rotatable in response to insertion of a coin. A timer mechanism is operatively associated with the winding ring whereby the amount of time purchased will depend upon the degree of rotation of the winding ring.

The specific improvements of the invention comprise the means for connecting the winding ring and timer mechanism. These means include a one-way clutch mounted on the drive shaft of the timer mechanism. A drive gear is operatively connected to the shaft through the clutch whereby rotation of the drive gear in one direction rotates the drive shaft to operate the timer mechanism while rotation of the drive gear in the opposite direction results in free movement of the drive gear relative to the drive shaft. The movement of the drive gear is controlled by the winding ring so that insertion of a coin can control rotation of the timer mechanism drive shaft.

- The connecting means between the clutch and drive gear preferably comprise a gear train including idler gears. One idler gear and a drive gear are removably mounted in the construction whereby these elements can be easily changed to vary the ratio between this idler gear and the drive gear.

The meter construction 10 shown in the accompanying drawings includes a housing 12 having'a plurality of apertures 14 for the insertion of coins. A handle 16 is mounted on an exterior housing wall to provide means for manually rotating a coin carrier.

As shown in FIG. 2, a coin carrier 18 is mounted on a shaft 20, this shaft being connected to the handle 16. The carrier defines slots 22 for receiving coins inserted through the apertures 14. The operation of these mechanisms is essentially as described in Sollenberger U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,288. Thus, the presence of coins in the coin carrier operates to drive outwardly pawls carried by the coin carrier. One of these pawls is received by ratchet teeth 24 which prevents return rotation of the coin carrier until the coin has been discharged from the coin carrier. A second driving pawl is also driven outwardly with the driving edge thereof being engageable with a tooth defined by winding ring 26. As in the Sollenberger structure and other typical structures, the winding ring is provided with one or more teeth which are engaged, depending upon the coin denomination inserted. Thus, if a quarter is inserted, the pawl may engage the winding ring to deliver a relatively extensive wind thereto. If a dime or nickel is inserted, a wind of proportionally lesser amount takes place.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the winding ring 26 is positioned about the shaft 20 by means of a leaf spring 28. A pair of dimples 30 is formed in the winding ring, and these dimples are received by bores 32 defined by drive gear 34. l

The rotation of winding ring '26 results in rotation of drive gear 34. This gear meshes with a first idler gear 36 which, along with a second idler gear 38 is mounted on shaft 40. The idler gear 38 in turn meshes with main drive gear 42 which is secured to a one-way clutch device 44 fitted around the shaft 20 The shaft 20 includes a threaded extension 46 which is tied to the shaft 48 of the timer mechanism. The timer mechanism is actuated upon rotation of the shaft 20 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

3 The one-way clutch 44 is designed so that the shaft 20 rotates upon any clockwise movement. Upon counterclockwise movement, however, the rotation of the winding ring is transmitted through the gear train to the drive gear 42. This gear will now rotate freely relative to the shaft 20 because of the clutch 44. Accordingly, no change in the time recorded will occur.

To accomplish counterclockwise or return movement of the winding ring, there is provided a spring 50 connected at one end to post 52 secured to the winding ring. The opposite end of the spring is secured to a post 54 permanently attached in a fixed position to the meter housing. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spring 50 resists clockwise movement of the winding ring 26 whereby the winding ring is restored when rotation of the coin carrier 18 is concluded.

The connection between the winding ring and drive gear 34 permits relative rotation of these members when appropriate. Specifically, the spring 28 will yield if the dimples 30 are forced out of the bores 32 as when maximum wind of the timer mechanism occurs. In this way, damage to the timer mechanism is avoided whenever sufficient coins are inserted so that the capabilities of the timer mechanism are exceeded.

The idler gear 36 is mounted on shaft 40 by means of a screw 56. The threaded shaft 58 of the screw extends into a block 60 mounted on an intermediate wall 62 of the construction. The idler gear 36 is, therefore, readily removable, and this is also true of the winding ring 26 which is held in place by means of snap rings. With this arrangement, the gear ratio of the gears 38 and 42 can be readily changed. Since any change in ratio of these gears will change the degree of wind obtained for a coin of given denomination, this arrangement provides a highly simplified means for converting meters to different operating capabilities. In making the changes referred to, the gears 34 and 36 can also be easily changed. FIG. 4 illustrates a combination of gears providing a changed ratio with respect to the entire set of gears. The gears 34, 36, 38 and 42 occupy the positions of the corresponding unprimed numbers shown in the other figures.

The meter construction described provides a particularly useful arrangement for purchasing time in relatively large amounts. In meter constructions produced in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned Sollenberger patent, the winding capabilities were limited to the available tooth positions on a winding ring. Thus, in such meters, the winding ring includes a plurality of teeth, and each time a wind occurred, the winding ring was removed to a new position. Upon the subsequent insertion of coins, a different tooth would then be engaged. Due to limitations in the meter design, the maximum degree of wind permitted was about 300. With the construction of this invention wherein the winding ring 26 returns to its starting position after each wind, the degree of wind is limited only by the ability of the timer mechanism to be wound.

In order to accommodate a prior meter design for long periods of time, for example 72 hours, and in order to permit purchase of time in one-hour increments, it would be necessary to divide 300 by 72 leaving less than space between the teeth of a winding ring. This provides an impossible situation from a practical standpoint because of physical limitations in the meter. The construction of this invention has no such limitations due to the return of the winding ring to a starting position after each wind, and because of the particular drive mechanisms employed in conjunction with the winding ring.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction described which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a coin controlled construction for obtaining the purchase of time including a winding ring rotatable in response to the insertion of a coin in the construction, and a timer mechanism operatively connected to the winding ring whereby the amount of time purchased is dependent on the degree of rotation of the winding ring, the timer mechanism including a drive shaft, the improvement in means for connecting the winding ring and timer mechanism comprising a one-way clutch mounted on said drive shaft, a drive gear connected to said clutch whereby rotation of said drive gear in one direction rotates said drive shaft to operate said timer mechanism and rotation of said drive gear in the opposite direction results in free movement of the drive gear relative to the drive shaft, and means connecting said winding ring to said drive gear whereby rotation of the winding ring in response to the insertion of a coin results in rotation of said drive shaft.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 including means connected to said winding ring for returning the winding ring to a starting position after each rotation of said drive shaft.

3. Aconstruction in accordance with claim 2 includ ing at least one tooth defined by the winding ring, a movable coin carrier for receiving coins inserted in the construction, and a pawl associated with said coin carrier and shiftable into position in response to the presence of a coin in the coin carrier, said pawl engaging a tooth on said Winding ring upon movement of the coin carrier whereby said drive shaft is rotated upon movement of the coin carrier.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means connected to said winding ring comprise a spring operating to return each tooth on said winding ring to the same position after each rotation of said drive shaft.

5. A construction in accordance with claim I including a pair of interconnected idler gears, a shaft rotatably supporting the idler gears, one idler gear meshing with said drive shaft and the other idler gear meshing with a second drive gear, and means directly tying said second drive gear to said winding ring.

6. A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein the means tying said winding ring to said second drive gear include a slip clutch mechanism whereby said winding ring is adapted to rotate relative to said second gear if rotation of the winding ring should continue after full winding of said timer mechanism.

7. A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said other idler gear and said second drive gear are removably mounted in the construction whereby the ratio between said other idler gear and said second drive gear can be changed. 7

8. A construction in accordance with claim 7 comprising a parking meter, and indicator means associated with the parking meter whereby the amount of time purchased is displayed on the meter and wherein said indicator means is attached to the timer mechanism whereby winding of the timer mechanism results in a continual reduction of the amount of purchased time on the meter.

9. A construction in accordance with claim 8 wherein the amount of purchased time for the meter exceeds 24 hours. 

1. In a coin controlled construction for obtaining the purchase of time including a winding ring rotatable in response to the insertion of a coin in the construction, and a timer mechanism operatively connected to the winding ring whereby the amount of time purchased is dependent on the degree of rotation of the winding ring, the timer mechanism including a drive shaft, the improvement in means for connecting the winding ring and timer mechanism comprising a one-way clutch mounted on said drive shaft, a drive gear connected to said clutch whereby rotation of said drive gear in one direction rotates said drive shaft to operate said timer mechanism and rotation of said drive gear in the opposite direction results in free movement of the drive gear relative to the drive shaft, and means connecting said winding ring to said drive gear whereby rotation of the winding ring in response to the insertion of a coin results in rotation of said drive shaft.
 2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 including means connected to said winding ring for returning the winding ring to a starting position after each rotation of said drive shaft.
 3. A construction in accordance with claim 2 including at least one tooth defined by the winding ring, a movable coin carrier for receiving coins inserted in the construction, and a pawl associated with said coin carrier and shiftable into position in response to the presence of a coin in the coin carrier, said pawl engaging a tooth on said winding ring upon movement of the coin carrier whereby said drive shaft is rotated upon movement of the coin carrier.
 4. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means connected to said winding ring comprise a spring operating to return each tooth on said winding ring to the same position after each rotation of said drive shaft.
 5. A construction in accordance with claim 1 including a pair of interconnected idler gears, a shaft rotatably supporting the idler gears, one idler gear meshing with said drive shaft and the other idler gear meshing with a second drive gear, and means directly tying said second drive gear to said winding ring.
 6. A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein the means tying said winding ring to said second drive gear include a slip clutch mechanism whereby said winding ring is adapted to rotate relative to said second gear if rotation of the winding ring should continue after full winding of said timer mechanism.
 7. A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said other idler gear and said second drive gear are removably mounted in the construction whereby the ratio between said other idler gear and said second drive gear can be changed.
 8. A construction in accordance with claim 7 comprising a parking meter, and indicator means associated with the parking meter whereby the amount of time purchased is displayed on the meter and wherein said indicator means is attached to the timer mechanism whereby winding of the timer mechanism results in a continual reduction of the amount of purchased time on the meter.
 9. A construction in accordance with claim 8 wherein the amount of purchased time for the meter exceeds 24 hours. 